Hello and welcome to our April newsletter. 

This month’s newsletter is all about Spring and Easter which is a lovely time of year and very exciting for our little ones.  As the weather is starting to get warmer and the nights lighter, we are able to spend more time outside which is great for our emotional and physical wellbeing. We have filled this letter with lots of fun and easy activities that you can enjoy together with your family. 

Rhymetime - Sleeping Bunnies 

Hop Little Bunnies’ is the perfect rhyme for Easter and is always a favourite in our Children Centres.  It’s also a great rhyme to listen to the words and play along with – you can start by lying on the floor being the sleeping bunny and then jump up and hop like a bunny.  This is a great activity to help develop listening, communication and language skills.

Watch the song with BBC Tiny Happy People. 

Easter Sensory Play 

Have you noticed how young children love filling and emptying?  You could provide a shallow tray and fill it with some dry ingredients such as rice, cereal etc. You can even add different textures like feathers or artificial flowers – what ever you have.   Add some different sized jars, spoons, egg cups, egg cartons etc. Then follow your child's lead as they explore the tray scooping, pouring and filling these.  This activity will help develop fine motor skills and co-ordination.  You can add language to your child’s play by commenting on what your child is doing and providing the words such as “filling up the egg box, scoop, pour” and even introduce some early maths concepts like full, empty, more and less.   

Story Time - Everybunny Dance

To get in the Easter mood enjoy Everybunny Dance by Ellie Sandall.  This is a delightful rhyming story all about some bunnies and the fun they have while no one is around.  Join in with the dance moves and make some of your own up.

Enjoy the story provided by BookTrust

Book Trust have provided some activities to enjoy together - you can make your own Everybunny dance picture or even make your own bunny ears – perfect for Easter.   

There are so many of our 50 Things that can be enjoyed over the Easter holidays. Here is a few of our favourites –

2. Visit a Library – There lots going on in our libraries over Easter from egg hunts to crafts, find out what is on in your local library on their Facebook page.

5. Visit a Lake or Garden – Our Park Rangers have some Egg-citing Easter hunts for you to join in with.

19. Go on a Scavenger Hunt – Easter Hunts are a great tradition. We love these clues which can be printed out or copied which you can hide around your house and your child can find their treat from the Easter Bunny!

30. Explore the Seasons – Springtime things to do with babies and toddlers from BBC Tiny Happy People. 

24. Grow Something from Seed – Grow carrot tops! This is a simple activity that will take a few days to start growing – perfect for little ones.

This month we are focusing on dental health. While we may be eating more sugar than normal it’s even more important to remember -

• Start brushing as soon as that first tooth arrives.
• Fluoride is great for our teeth, but little mouths need less of it. For kids under three, use just a smear. For ages three – six, a pea sized amount.
• Children need help brushing their teeth until they are at least seven years old.
• Avoid sugary foods and drink before bedtime. They should be eaten less often and only at mealtimes. Remember, plain water or lower fat milks are best.

If you would like to talk to a health professional or a family service worker come along to stop 8 – Toddlers Together to find out more from your local Children’s Centre. 

Find out some advice about sugar in snacks from Lisa (Heath Visiting Service) and Heather (Early Start Team)